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September 12, 2005

Everyday Heroes - An Inspiration for Us All

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In the midst of all the bad news about Katrina, and the concerns over effectiveness of administration efforts, there was a wonderful glimmer of hopefulness coming, not from a big non profit org, or helicopters, or agencies, or elected officials but from an inspired local business man and his family. I read about it this weekend in the NYT.

Bob Ford, a Mississippi golf course owner and caterer, and his family just plain old pitched in with all the resources at their disposal. Opening their refrigerators and pantries, rolling up their sleeves and helping feed people.

Not only that but they opened their home (which too had been damaged by the storm) to host a wedding of a displaced couple.

Helping out, having hope, being driven and organized had a magnetic effect. Bob and his wife Jocelyn brought all kinds of others together to pitch in.

My wife and I were so moved by this that we had to call them and ask how we could help. I talked to their son who said we had to talk to his mom, who "knew everything." Which, by the sound of the half dozen simultaneous calls she was taking and pushing (about food, shelter, clothing, jobs), sounded absolutely true.

Anyway, it was an inspiration to talk this wonderful, gracious family, who just plain know to do the right thing and that hope and action mean a lot more than words.

We decided to send them money for help. They seem to know what to do with it as well as anyone else.

We need more people like them in public office!!

If you would like you can send money to:

The Bob Ford Christian Golf Foundation/Red Cross 430 Bay Pointe Circle
Brandon Mississippi, 39047

March 09, 2005

Heroes of Africa

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Good friend Jonathan Roberts recently went on a very special trip to Africa - touring Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Botswana. They focused on visiting healthcare and economic development programs being run by Africans for Africans. In many ways it was a “tour of hope.” He didn’t have to take a single photograph since a crew from MSN was also part of the trip and they’ve recently posted a site that chronicles the whole trip. Please check here to check it out. Also, the tour was lead by Pasquale Scaturro, a renowned adventurer and the expedition leader of the first group to navigate the entire length of the Nile. This adventure is chronicled in the recently released IMAX film.

October 23, 2004

Beyers Naude

An amazing person. A true hero. Just read a very moving obit in the economist about Beyers Naude. For more click here.